Santa Cruz County, CA Parking Rules: EV Charging (2026)

Santa Cruz County's main EV-specific parking rule applies to county lots: SCCC 9.36.070(16) restricts parking in spaces marked or identified as 'electric vehicle charging only' to a maximum of three hours within off-street parking areas owned, operated by, or leased to the County. On public streets and in private lots, the controlling rule is California Vehicle Code Section 22511, which allows a local authority by ordinance or resolution, and an owner or person in lawful possession of an off-street facility, to designate stalls or spaces for the exclusive purpose of charging and parking a vehicle connected for electric charging. For off-street facilities, CVC 22511 requires posting a sign at least 17 by 22 inches stating that unauthorized vehicles not connected for electric charging will be towed at the owner's expense; once posted, a non-charging vehicle may be removed. New EV charging stations at developments are also encouraged through the county's general site and parking standards. The county has not enacted a separate ordinance overriding the state EV-stall framework.